Funding awarded to 4 Farmers’ Markets to cover the cost of starting Link

Since the release of the Fit Kids 2020 Plan in January 2011, the focus of the Fit for Kids campaign is to work with community members, organizations and municipalities to implement the Fit Kids 2020 Plan. Awards have been made to 29 community organizations to implement the Fit Kids 2020 Plan. Awards range from $500-$10,000.

The Kane County Fit for Kids Funders Consortium received $200,000 in grants in 2010 and 2011 to fund community projects focus on the system, policy and environmental change across sectors in Kane County. These changes will create a healthier Kane County.

Evidence of the impact of the implementation of the Fit Kids 2020 can be seen across the county.

Funding was awarded to 4 Farmers’ Markets to cover the cost of starting Link, (Illinois’ food stamp program), acceptance at the markets. The Aurora and South Elgin markets successfully implemented Link acceptance for the 2011 season, and the DNA Elgin Harvest Market has launched the Link acceptance for the 2012 season.

Aurora has expanded Link acceptance to an additional market for 2012. This includes Farmers Markets in low income areas of Elgin and Aurora. Link acceptance increases the revenue for local producers and makes locally fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible to low income residents.

Downtown Elgin Harvest Market launches Link acceptance.

Northern Illinois University Dietetic Students are demonstrating and offering tastes of healthy recipes from seasonal ingredients at the Aurora Farmers Market.